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Whistle Stopper - Sanyo Xacti HD700 7MP MPEG-4 High Definition 720p Camcorder with 5x Optical Zoom (Silver)
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List Price: $599.95
Our Price: Too low to display
Your Save: $ ( % )
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: SANYO
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Average Customer Rating:   
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Binding: Electronics
Brand: Sanyo
Color: Silver
Display Size: 2.7
EAN: 0086483069161
Feature: Digital media camera combines the functionality of a digital camera with a digital camcorder
Label: SANYO
Manufacturer: SANYO
Model: VPCHD700S
Optical Zoom: 5
Publisher: SANYO
Studio: SANYO
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Features
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Digital media camera combines the functionality of a digital camera with a digital camcorder
Records high-definition digital video and 7 MP digital still images
5x HD zoom lens; 2.7-inch widescreen LCD
In-camera editing; compatible with iMovie '08
HDMI high-definition output; compatible with SD/SDHC memory cards
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: Gain great portability at the expense of some quality.
Comment: I recently purchased this camera to use for recording all those family moments. I was previously using a Panasonic PV-GS250, a hand-held 3CCD Mini-DV camcorder. I was drawn to this model for several reasons: True 720p video quality, pocketable portability, digital media (no more "real-time" importing and no more buying tapes).
The camcorder does a pretty good job at delivering decent quality video, however, out of the box I didn't find the Full Auto settings really that appealing, especially in lower light (indoor) conditions. I spent several hours manually going through the settings and replaying them on my television in order to find a better solution. I was able to find the settings that looked good to me. Outdoor shots in lots of light look great at 720p resolution. The colors I've recorded look vibrant in these settings.
In low light, the quality doesn't match my Panasonic camcorder (which is a 3CCD camera, and should be better in low light), but the Sanyo does a decent job at my manual settings. Out of the box, I took the camera to my son's birthday party at a roller skating rink, where the lighting was somewhat dim. With Full Auto settings, the results were disappointing. With my manual settings, the results were improved and acceptable to me.
The image stabilization feature of the camera leaves a lot to be desired when compared to my Panasonic camera. The electronic image stabilization on the Sanyo still results in very jerky playback. In fact, while there was a noticable difference between image stabilization on and off, it still looked too jerky with the feature on. One side effect of turning on image stabilization on this camera is that the picture "zooms in". When the feature is turned off, it zooms back out. This has lead to a number of complaints by owners of this camera-- it's hard to get everything in frame in a room because of the zoom in. Unfortunately, this is how the feature works-- it must have a "buffer" around the frame in order for the digitial image stabilization to work and this is why it zooms in. TIP: *** If you need to get more people in frame and you have no room to back up, then turn off image stabilization.***
Overall, I am happy with this purchase. It doesn't output the best video in all conditions, especially compared to my other camera. However, it can put out some great video given the time to get the settings tweaked to your liking. I would suggest using a tripod whenever possible for the best results. If you are like me, and enjoy true portability then hauling around a tripod is not always an option. In that case, make sure to stabilize yourself again something to keep the shaking to a minimum.
For me, it was a trade off between convenience and quality. I am willing to give up some video quality in order to gain:
- more portability (can throw it in my pocket)
- digital media (no more buying mini-dv tapes)
- faster import into computer (copy movie files over instead of importing in real-time)
- convenient backup (the dock can have a usb hard drive connected to it, and you can easily back up to the drive)
- 720p output
Customer Rating:
Summary: Very Pleased!
Comment: Its easy...carry the small video camera in your pocket, take cool video whenever you want, in a moments notice it is out of your pocket and recording. When you get home home hook it up to the TV (while its charging) watch what you recorded or hook it up to your PC/Mac and start editing. its 720p so it wont bog down your older computer like the 1080i cameras out now that require the most powerful and fastest computers to even edit. Yes the the 1080i camera's picture looks better but not really by much, it would take a side by side comparison to notice
I just want to say that this is a pretty darn good camera, for everyday use and everyday people.
If you are into professional broadcasting don't get this camera!!!
If you are into crisp home movies, editing them on the computer and burning them to dvd (and a mac owner) get this camera!
It cannot be beat as far as size, convenience and price. I am glad I disregarded the negative reviews!
P.S. In case its needed-----Google "MPEG Streamclip" it is a free program for mac users (PC? not sure) that makes the files leaner for playback, editing, etc.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Great product for the price, but missing a few things
Comment: This camera has been great because of being able to take decent videos as well as mediocre still photos. It is compact and easy to tote around in you pocket.
The zoom on it however is horrible. When I want to take a video of something far away it will be blurry. Also you can not zoom in very much. That is certainly a pain. Also the still camera's photos are not that great. With limited flash options you need to have good lighting to take full advantage of the still camera.
Customer Rating:
Summary: I love this camera!
Comment: I have had this camera for about a month now and I love it. After purchasing several digital still cameras and video cameras through the years, I've sort of geared myself to lower my expectations regarding the image/video quality. I have to say, this was the first time a camera has impressed me with its quality. The colors are vivid, the microphone is great. This camera exceeded my expectations.
I also uploaded some video to a social networking site to see if their web-based encoder would diminish the quality and found that the quality was far superior to any other video I have uploaded. In fact, my friends noticed the improvement in quality and commented me asking if I had purchased a new video camera.
This is a great camera - especially for the price!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Great little camera
Comment: The reviews here are surprisingly negative, but after quite a bit of searching and comparing, I decided to go for this one anyway. I don't regret it.
The only major negative is really the "perma-zoom" aspect that other reviewers have mentioned, but it's really not that bad. There's a very helpful review here that has measurements for the field of view--about 68"x120" at a distance of 152". If you're worried about it, mock it up yourself with some bits of masking tape, and decide if it's a deal-breaker. If not, I think this camera is a great choice.
The real killer feature, for me, is the "Xacti Library." Video files can be huge, and the Xacti library lets you hook a USB hard drive to the dock and transfer files without using a computer. I keep the dock hooked up to my television, and it's fantastic to be able to quickly review and archive footage. The camera lives in the dock, and so it's always charged and ready to go, too. It's not as seamless and easy as an iPod, but it's pretty good.
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Editorial Reviews:
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Shoot high-definition today with this elegant state-of-the-art true 720p high-definition camcorder that doubles as a 7 Megapixel digital camera. Encased in a stunning enclosure, the HD700 features a 5x optical lens and a large 2.7-inch widescreen display making the Sanyo HD700 as convenient as it is useful. And, a HDMI port on the docking station allows you to simply connect to the latest high-definition TVs and recorders to view and share your footage. Also, the HD700 records to the latest MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 global standard, delivering exceptional video clarity and detail while maintaining the smallest file size possible. Playback directly onto a HD or standard TV screen. Easy connection to VCR or DVD recorder. Remote Control Included 5x all-glass optical zoom with a bright maximum aperture of f/3.5. Consisting of nine groups and twelve total lenses (3 aspheric elements, 5 aspheric surfaces), the HD700's lens provides a fantastic field-of-view with a 38-190 mm range (35 mm equivalent). Combined with the 12x digital zoom, the HD700 provides up to 60x zooming capability Each video is recorded as an individual MPEG-4 and each still as a JPEG Records and plays from optional SD and SDHC memory cards; accepts up to 8GB capacity ? The new HD700 was designed to work with Apple's full complement of video editing applications including the new iMovie 08. Easily edit your movies and add them to your website or YouTube for sharing or create versions for iPod, iPhone or the Apple TV NTSC / PAL (interfacing via included docking station or connecting adaptor) 720p 1280x720 video HDTV resolution capability Unit Dimensions 2.9 x 1.4 x 4.3 inches (W x D x H); Weight 6.7 oz. approx. (main unit only), 7.5 oz. approx. (including battery and a standard SD card) Includes SANYO Software Pack, Docking station, Dedicated AV interface cable, Dedicated Component interface cable, Dedicated USB cable, Cable adaptor, Lith
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